Pia Stays Home

In Los Angeles last week, Judge Mildred Lillie ruled that Pia Lindstrom, 13-year-old daughter of Cinemactress Ingrid Bergman, must not be compelled to visit her mother in Italy this summer.

In an eleven-page decision, Judge Lillie spared neither Actress Bergman nor Pia's father, Dr. Peter Lindstrom. Pia, she said, "is almost lost to her [mother]. Whether she [Actress Bergman] wished to admit it or not, a goodly part of the responsibility rests with her . . . Children are not chattels to be passed back and forth between parents to satisfy their pride, convenience and desires, at the expense of the welfare of those children. The parent having physical custody necessarily has the advantage, for besides having the child's constant regard, love and companionship, that parent . . . can and unfortunately often does, intentionally or otherwise, turn the affection and interest away from the parent not having custody ..." Another deciding factor in the court's ruling: Pia's "unfavorable opinion" of Actress Bergman's second husband, Italian Movie Director Roberto (The Miracle) Rossellini.

At week's end, Pia's mother got ready for another round of court battles. Said she in Rome: "I want Pia to visit me here so she can see for herself how my married life is ... She can ask me any questions about my falling in love with [Rossellini]. I'll give her an explanation. She is entitled to know. At her age now, some of it she will understand and some of it she will not. But in any case, it is wrong for people to frighten her about his influence."

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